Expect the unexpected

There is something about a New Year which fills people with new hope and resolve. My uncle has but one - hope and resolve. His daughter Simi must get married this year.

She is just what your Great Indian Matrimonial Ad ordered. Professionally qualified and homely. Yup she works at a major MNC but can make killer naan and chhole with her own two hands. Pretty hands, I might add.

Simi is modern, yet traditional. Meaning she is no behenji but has never had a boyfriend. Why? Coz she didn't want to get into faltu chakkars. And believed mom n dad would do a far better job of finding the right guy when it was time to make the choice.

Well, they're trying. Dilli mein baithe hue mummy-papa kaafi ads daal chuke hain. Bakras are shortlisted and forwarded to Simi - who's in Mumbai - for a face to face.

One could write a soap opera about the kind of namunas she has met so far. Oh, even fixing a meeting is high drama. A recent episode...

The guy works in Seepz, she in Andheri.
"So, shall we meet on the weekend?"
"No I live in Vashi. I can't come this side on the weekend."
"OK, how about after work on day - say 6 o'clock."
"Um... my bus leaves at 6.30. How about 4 pm?"
"Ok.. where?"
"Haan but I will be able to spend only 15 minutes".

Whaaaat? Yeh shaadi ka decision le raha hai ya alu-pyaaz khareed raha hai??

Simi has reached a difficult decision. She will have to make some efforts on her own. Register on matrimonial sites. Go through profiles. And most importantly, look around her own office to see if 'Mr Right' might be right there. Waiting in vain so far.

Yes, life is unexpected. Things never do work out the way we plan. On Jan 1 newspapers and magazines recklessly predict the next big superstars, the next big technology. Only to find the next big thing sneak up quietly, without warning.

Let's hope Simi's Mr Right sneaks up on her. Quietly and without warning.

And oh, she has finally opened her mind to marrying someone who is not a bania. That, incidentally was a key qualifying criteria so far. "Good for you," I add. "There are too few good looking guys in our community anyways..."

She giggles, "Haan they look good only on their resumes! Actually jab milo to..."

Bhagwan kare Simi ko ladka mil jaaye. Aur jaldi. Another year and mera mehenga wala lehenga will go right out of fashion!

Wish you all a rocking 2006. May strange new thoughts and unexpected actions make it more interesting than you imagined possible!